Finger operated forceps type surgical instrument

ABSTRACT

An inexpensive and efficient clamp type surgical instrument which is comfortable to use and eliminates excessive pressure at the jaws of the instrument is produced by incorporating heel and shoulder stops and open finger gripping loops having a return curve portion between the normal finger gripping position and the pivot axis of the instrument&#39;&#39;s arms. The return curve portion in the finger gripping loops of the instrument prevents the operator&#39;&#39;s fingers from sliding into the open portion of rhe fingerloops, thereby eliminating pinching the operator&#39;&#39;s fingers. The heel and shoulder stops assure that the jaws of the surgical instrument cannot have more force applied thereto than the instrument is designed to handle. As a result, these features of the surgical instrument of this invention cooperate to provide an inexpensive instrument having the rigidity and feel of more expensive surgical instruments.

Cummings 1 July 16, 1974 1 1 FINGER OPERATED FORCEPS TYPE SURGICALINSTRUMENT [75] Inventor: Clinton M. Cummings, Southbury,

Conn.

[73] Assignee: Acme United Corporation,

Bridgeport, Conn.

[22] Filed:

Nov. 14, 1972 [21] Appl. No.: 306,321

[52] US. Cl .L 128/322, 128/325, 76/101, 128/321 [51] Int. Cl. A611)17/12, A6lb 17/28 [58] Field of Search 128/322, 321, 325, 340, 128/346;81/318; 32/63; D8/57 [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS I1,002,961 9/1911 Beuoy et a1 128/321 1 1,356,048 10/1920 Dederer 128/3221,918,469 7/1933 Hargrave 76/10 R 2,583,892 1/1952 Sh e|lhouse.. 128/3213,404,683 10/1968 Eizenberg.. 128/322 3,654,930 4/1972 Hobbs 128/325D204,854 5/1966 Cumming. D8/57 FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 28,71112/1902 Great Britain...-. 128/322 1,152,220 8/1963 Germany ..128/322Primary ExaminerAldrich F. Medbery Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Mattern,Ware and Davis [57] ABSTRACT ment prevents the operators fingers fromsliding into the open portion of rhe fingerloops, thereby eliminatingpinching the operators fingers. The heel and shoulder stops assure thatthe jaws of the surgical instrument cannot have more force appliedthereto than the instrument is designed to handle. As a result, thesefeatures of the surgical instrument of this invention cooperate toprovide an inexpensive instrument having the rigidity and feel of moreexpensive surgical instruments.

16 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures FINGER OPERATED FORCEPS TYPE SURGICALINSTRUMENT BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This application relates tosurgical instruments and more particularly to shear and clamp typesurgical instruments and fingerloops and positive stops therefor.

Most prior art surgical instruments employ fingerloops which are eithercompletely enclosed circles or partially opened loops. The completelycircular fingerloops are effective in providing a comfortable grippingsurface for the operator. However, the completely enclosed circularhandles are extremely expensive to manufacture since they requireexpensive molding operations.

As a result, manufacturers have attempted to reduce the cost of surgicalinstruments by employing a fixed length of continuous rod-like material,which is bent into a desired shape, to form one arm of the instrument.As a result, the fingerloops on these types of instruments are notcompletely circular and have an open end portion. The major failing ofthese surgical instrumcnts, manufactured from a continuous length ofrodlike material, is that the fingerloop construction is such that asthe operator applies pressure at the fingerloops to effectuate operationof the instrument, his fingers slip along the fingerloops towards theopen end ofthe loop. This is extremely uncomfortable and in manysituations causes pinching of the operators fingers.

Another common failing in most prior art surgical instruments is theabsence of a positive stop to prevent excessive pressure at the jaws ofthe instrument. The elimination of excessive pressure is extremelyimportant. In an instrument such as a suture, excessive pressure on theblood vessels, which are sealed by the suture, may cause irreparabledamage to the vessel necessitating surgical removal of that portion ofthe vessel. Similarly, with surgical towel clamps, excessive pressure onthe clamping jaws may'damage these jaws and also may damage the towel,causing undesirable shredding or tearing. I

lnspi'te of the undesirable results caused by excessive pressure beingapplied at thejaws ofthe surgical instruments, most surgical instrumentsdo not employ effective stops. To a large extent, the reason for theabsence of an effective stop on these instruments is the high additional cost required to produce an instrument with enough precisionthat the stops will effectively prevent excessive pressure while notinterfering with thenormal operation of the instrument. v

Therefore, it is a principal object of the invention to provide asurgical instrument which is easily handled and comfortable to use.

' Another object of this invention is to provide a surgical instrumentof the above character, whicheliminates excessive pressure at the jawsof the instrument.

Another object of this invention is to provide a surgical instrument ofthe above character, which eliminates pinching of the operators fingersduring use.

A further object of this invention is to provide a surgical instrumentof the above character, which is both economical and reusable.

Another object of this invention isto provide a surgical instrument ofthe above character, which is both simple and inexpensive tomanufacture.

Other objects of this invention will in part be obvious and will in partappear hereinafter.

SUMMARY or THE INVENTION A surgical instrument which embodies thisinvention is inexpensively manufactured from fixed lengths of continuousrod-like material which is bent into shape to form the pivotable arms ofthe surgical instrument. However, several unique, innovative featuresare incorporated in orderto provide the surgical instrument of thisinvention. The first of these features is provided in the formation ofthe fingerloops wherein, as the loop is constructed, a reversed curve isincorporated into the finger loop just prior to reaching the open endportion of the fingerloopfbetween the normal finger holding position andthe pivot axis of the arms. This reverse curve provides a comfortableholding position for the fingers of the operator while also preventingthe operators fingers from slipping intothe open portion of thefingerloop, thereby preventing pinching.

Another feature incorporated in the surgical instrument of thisinvention is the shoulder and heel stop, which prevent the operator fromapplying excessive pressure on the jaws of the surgical instrument. Theheel and shoulder stops are incorporated into the arms of the surgicalinstrument by flattening a portion ofthe rod-like material about thepoint where the arms will be pivotably interconnected. As a result, theside or shoulder of the flattened portion of one arm will come intoabutting contact with the heel or raised portion of the terminating edgeofthe other arm. Consequently, when the heel and shoulder portions arebrought into abutting contact, the arms can no longer pivot. Thispreformed using the entire diameter of the rod, or extension portionprovided for the ratchet teeth. Since the ratchet construction is madeso as to allow easy locking engagement of the teeth, the ratchet teethare both beveled to be easily advanced over each other. However, sincethe entire diameter of the rod or extension portion is used for theratchet teeth, application of additional force causesthe ratchet teethto continue to be advanced over each other resulting in excessive forcebeing applied at the'jaws and the interconnecting pivot point.

In the construction of the surgical instrument of this invention, aportion of the rod is removed and the ratchet teeth are formed in theremaining portion. This provides a ratchet portion which does notcomprise the entire diameter of the rod material while also having aratchet stop at that point when the full diameter of the rod is reached.As a result, when the ratchet teeth are advanced to their full extent,the initial contacting point between the ratchet teeth abut theremaining full diameter wall of the rod material, forming this positivestop. Therefore, continued camming of the ratchet As a result of theflattening operation, portion 36'of arm 22 incorporates two side orshoulder stops 50 and 52 and two heel or raised portions 54 and 56.Similarly, portion 37 of arm 24 incorporates two side or shoulder stops60 and 62 and two heel or raised portions 64 and 66. When arm members 22and 24 are pivotably interconnected by rivet 26, shoulder 50 comes intoabutting contact with heel 66 when the jaws of towel clamp are closed.Similarly, shoulder 52 comes into abutting contact with heel 64,shoulder 60 comes into abutting contact with heel 56, and shoulder 62comes into abut ting contact with heel 54 when the jaws of towel clamp20 are closed.

As a result, a firm and secure heel and shoulder stop is provided whichprevents jaws 28 and from coming into greater cooperating overlappingcontact than is desired. This prevents any unwanted, excessive pres sureand excessive overlap at the jaws of the surgical instrument.Furthermore, since the heel and shoulder stops are easily manufacturedduring the formation of the arm members of the surgical instrumentswithout 'the requirement for expensive measuring of molding operations,the surgical instrument of this invention incorporates these uniquefeatures while still providing a surgical instrument that is inexpensiveto manufacture.

The final feature of the surgical instrument of this invention is theinterlocking ratchet construction, best seen in FIGS. 3 and 3A.Substantially straight portions 44 of arms 22 and 24 incorporate ratchetteeth 70 which are beveled .to cooperatingly slide over each other. intoa locked position and be maintained in this locked position untilrelease. The use of ratchet teeth in surgical instruments is well knownin the art, however, virtually all prior art surgical instruments havethe tips of the ratchet teeth substantially coinciding with the outerperipheral surface of portion 44. In the ratchet construction of thisinvention, the tips of ratchet teeth 70 do not coincide with outersurface 72 of portion 44, and instead are spaced substantially inward ofouter surface 72.

Substantially straight portion 44 also incorporates leading edge 74which marks the beginning of ratchet teeth 70 and a substantially flatwall 76 at the end of the ratchet teeth construction. Since the tips ofratchet teeth 70 do not extend to outer surface 72 of portion 44,surface 76 extends from the last required ratchet position to outersurface 72. Preferably, surface 76 is substantially flat andsubstantially perpendicular to outer surface 72. As a result, when theleading edges 74 70 from being advanced beyond the desired locking po-'sition, which would result in unwanted spreading or bending of portions44.

Finger slip-preventing portions 34 cooperate with the ratchet stoparrangement to prevent the fingers of the user from being pinched whenthe ratchet's stop sur-,

faces 76 prevent further advancement of the finger holding portions 32.Also, shoulder stops 50, 52, 60

and 62, and heel stops 54, 56, 64 and 66 cooperate with the ratchetsstop surfaces 76 to prevent excessivepressure from being applied to jawmembers 28 and 30 when in the closed position. Similarly, fingerslippreventing portions 34 cooperate with shoulder stops 50, 52, and 62and heel stops 54, 56, 64 and 66 to prevent finger pinching when jawmembers 28 and 30 are in the closed position.

As is obvious to one skilled in the art, the finger slippreventingportion, the heel and shoulder stops, and the ratchet constructiondescribed above'and exemplified by the towel clamp of the drawings, canbe effectively employed in any shear and clamp type surgical instrumentincluding, but not limited to, sutures, hemostats, sponge clamps, etc.,as well as in other shear and clamp type instruments not related to thesurgical field. Furthermore, these features can be embodied in otherinstruments individually or in alternate combinations, depending uponthe particular application.

It will best be seen that the objects as set forth above, among thosemade apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attainedand, since certain changes may be made in the above article withoutdeparting from the scope of the invention, it is intended thatallm'atter contained in the above description or shown in theaccompanying drawings, shall be intepreted as illustrative and not in alimiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following Claims are intended tocover all of the generic and specific features of the invention hereindescribed, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as amatter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secureby Letters Patent is:

1. A hand-operated surgical instrument comprising two cooperating armspivotally interconnected along a single axis, each of said armscomprising;

A. a jaw member located at one end of said arm; and

B. a finger loop located at the other end of said arm,

said loop comprising a means for preventing unwanted finger advancementtoward said pivot axis incorporating a finger-restraining section in theportion of the loop nearest said pivot axis, said section defined by acurved portion extending towards the loop and a reverse-curved portionextending away from the loop.

2. An instrument as defined in claim- 1, wherein each of saidcooperating arms is manufactured from a single piece of rod-likematerial.

3. An instrument as defined in claim 2, wherein said curved portion ofsaid finger restraining section comprises a concavely curved portionconverging smoothly with said finger loop.

4. An instrument-as defined in claim 3, wherein said reverse-curvedportion of said finger restraining section further comprises a convexlycurved portion convergheight less than the cross-sectional height ofsaid ratchet lock section.

7. An instrument as defined in claim 6, wherein said ratchet locksection comprises a substantially flat surface extending from theterminating edge of the last ratchet tooth to the outer peripheralsurface of said ratchet lock section, preventing further engagedadvancement of interlocked ratchet sections.

8. An instrument as defined in claim 2, wherein each of said arms arefurther defined as comprising a substantially flat zone peripherallydisposed about said pivot axis and incorporating:

a. a heel stop, and

b. a shoulder stop cooperating with the heel stop of the other arm toprevent additional closing force from being applied to said jaw members,once said jaw members are closed.

9. A hand-operated surgical instrument comprising two cooperating armspivotally interconnected along a single axis, and comprising:

A. cooperating jaw members, each located on one end of said arms, spacedaway from said pivot axis in a similar direction;

B. finger loops spaced away from said pivot axis in an oppositedirection from said jaw members;

C. a substantially flat zone peripherally disposed about said pivot axisand incorporating:

a. a heel stop, and

b. a shoulder stop cooperating with the heel stop of the other arm toprevent additional closing force from being applied to said jaw memberswhen said jaw members are closed; and

D. means for preventing further engaged advancement of interlockedratchet sections comprising ratchet lock sections mounted-on each armadjacent said finger loops, each comprising a substantiallyv flatsurface extending from the terminating edge of the last ratchet tooth tothe outer peripheral surface of said ratchet lock section.

10. An instrument as defined in claim 9, wherein said finger loops arefurther defined as incorporating means for preventing unwantedadvancement of the finger toward said pivot axis comprising a doublereverse-curved finger-restraining section in the portion of the loopnearest said pivot axis.

11. An instrument as-defined in claim 9, wherein said shoulder stop isfurther defined as comprising one of the sides of said arm adjacent tosaid flat zone.

12. An instrument as defined in claim 9, wherein said LII heel stopcomprises the intermediate raised portion between said substantiallyflat zone and the outer peripheral surface of said arm.

13. An instrument as defined in claim 9, wherein each of said ratchetlock sections comprises at least two interlocking ratchet teeth havingan effective, extending height less than the cross-section height ofsaid ratchet lock section.

14. A hand-operated surgical instrument comprising two cooperating armspivotally interconnected along a single axis, and comprising:

A. cooperating jaw members, each located on one end of said arms, spacedaway from said pivot axis in an identical direction;

B. a finger-loop portion for controlling the movement of said arms andsaid jaw members spaced away from said pivot axis in an oppositedirection from said jaw members; and

C. a ratchet lock section mounted on each arm, interconnected with saidfinger loop portion, and comprising:

a. at least two interlocking ratchet teeth having a height less than theheight of said ratchet lock section, and

b. a substantially flat surface extending from the terminating edge ofthe last ratchet tooth to the outer peripheral surface of the ratchetlock section comprising a means for preventing further engagedadvancement of interlocked ratchet sections.

15. An instrument as defined in claim 14, wherein said handle portion isfurther defined as comprising:

a. a finger holding portion for controlling the movement of said armsand said jaw members, and

b. a finger slip-preventing portion positioned between said fingerholding portion and said pivot axis for preventing unwanted advancementfrom said finger holding portion toward said pivot axis.

jaw members are closed.

l l l [111 3,823,720 [4 July 16,1974

[ SURGICAL DRAIN [76] Inventor: David E. Tribble, 1400 Barnwell St.,

Columbia, SC. 29201 22 Filed: June21,1972

211 Appl. No.: 264,757

[52] US. Cl 128/350 R, 128/240, 128/260 [51] Int. Cl A6lb 27/00 [58]Field of Search 128/276, 278, 348, 349 R, 128/350 R, 240, 241, 260, 268

FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS France 128/350 R H1906 France 128/350 R8/1952 Germany 128/276 Primary Examiner-Dalton L. Truluck Attorney,Agent, or Firm-Nathaniel A. Humphries,

Esq.

[ 57] ABSTRACT A surgical drain is disclosed in the form of a drainagecatheter about the inner or distal end of which a nylon net is wrappedand retained in position loosely by a plurality of ties with the net andcatheter being encased in a thin rubber sheath in a loose manner so thatair can flow into the sheath when the outer or proximal end of thecatheter is connected to suction; an additional feature 'resides in anirrigation catheter extending through and along the length of the sheathfor providing an irrigation discharge outwardly of the distal end of thesheath for discharging internally of the sheath for internally flushingthe sheath for discharge via the suction catheter.

10 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTED JUL! 61974

1. A hand-operated surgical instrument comprising two cooperating armspivotally interconnected along a single axis, each of said armscomprising: A. a jaw member located at one end of said arm; and B. afinger loop located at the other end of said arm, said loop comprising ameans for preventing unwanted finger advancement toward said pivot axisincorporating a finger-restraining section in the portion of the loopnearest said pivot axis, said section defined by a curved portionextending towards the loop and a reverse-curved portion extending awayfrom the loop.
 2. An instrument as defined in claim 1, wherein each ofsaid cooperating arms is manufactured from a single piece of rod-likematerial.
 3. An instrument as defined in claim 2, wherein said curvedportion of said finger restraining section comprises a concavely curvedportion converging smoothly with said finger loop.
 4. An instrument asdefined in claim 3, wherein said reverse-curved portion of said fingerrestraining section further comprises a convexly curved portionconverging smoothly with said concavely curved portion.
 5. An instrumentas defined in claim 1, wherein said finger loops further compriseterminating ends incorporting: c. a ratchet lock section mounted on eacharm and substantially adjacent to said finger restraining section.
 6. Aninstrument as defined in claim 5, wherein each of said ratchet locksections comprises at least two interlocking ratchet teeth, having aneffective, extending height less than the cross-sectional height of saidratchet lock section.
 7. An instrument as defined in claim 6, whereinsaid ratchet lock section comprises a substantially flat surfaceextending from the terminating edge of the last ratchet tooth to theouter peripheral surface of said ratchet lock section, preventingfurther engaged advancement of interlocked ratchet sections.
 8. Aninstrument as defined in claim 2, wherein each of said arms are furtherdefined as comprising a substantially flat zone peripherally disposedabout said pivot axis and incorporating: a. a heel stop, and b. ashoulder stop cooperating with the heel stop of the other arm to preventadditional closing force from being applied to said jaw members, oncesaid jaw members are closed.
 9. A hand-operated surgical instrumentcomprising two cooperating arms pivotally interconnected along a singleaxis, and comprising: A. cooperating jaw members, each located on oneend of said arms, spaced away from said pivot axis in a similardirection; B. finger loops spaced away from said pivot axis in anopposite direction from said jaw members; C. a substantially flat zoneperipherally disposed about said pivot axis and incorporating: a. a heelstop, and b. a shoulder stop cooperating with the heel stop of the otherarm to prevent additional closing force from being applied to said jawmembers when said jaw members are closed; and D. means for preventingfurther engaged advancement of interlocked ratchet sections comprisingratchet lock sections mounted on each arm adjacent said finger loops,each comprising a substantially flat surface extending from theterminating edge of the last ratchet tooth to the outer peripheralsurface of said ratchet lock section.
 10. An instrument as defined inclaim 9, wherein said finger loops are further defined as incorporatingmeans for preventing unwanted advancement of the finger toward saidpivot axis comprising a double reverse-curved finger-restraining sectionin the portion of the loop nearest said pivot axis.
 11. An instrument asdefined in claim 9, wherein said shoulder stop is further defined ascomprising one of the sides of said arm adjaceNt to said flat zone. 12.An instrument as defined in claim 9, wherein said heel stop comprisesthe intermediate raised portion between said substantially flat zone andthe outer peripheral surface of said arm.
 13. An instrument as definedin claim 9, wherein each of said ratchet lock sections comprises atleast two interlocking ratchet teeth having an effective, extendingheight less than the cross-section height of said ratchet lock section.14. A hand-operated surgical instrument comprising two cooperating armspivotally interconnected along a single axis, and comprising: A.cooperating jaw members, each located on one end of said arms, spacedaway from said pivot axis in an identical direction; B. a finger-loopportion for controlling the movement of said arms and said jaw membersspaced away from said pivot axis in an opposite direction from said jawmembers; and C. a ratchet lock section mounted on each arm,interconnected with said finger loop portion, and comprising: a. atleast two interlocking ratchet teeth having a height less than theheight of said ratchet lock section, and b. a substantially flat surfaceextending from the terminating edge of the last ratchet tooth to theouter peripheral surface of the ratchet lock section comprising a meansfor preventing further engaged advancement of interlocked ratchetsections.
 15. An instrument as defined in claim 14, wherein said handleportion is further defined as comprising: a. a finger holding portionfor controlling the movement of said arms and said jaw members, and b. afinger slip-preventing portion positioned between said finger holdingportion and said pivot axis for preventing unwanted advancement fromsaid finger holding portion toward said pivot axis.
 16. An instrument asdefined in claim 14, wherein each of said arms is further defined ascomprising a substantially flat zone peripherally disposed about saidpivot axis and incorporating: a. a heel stop, and b. a shoulder stopcooperating with the heel stop of the other arm to prevent additionalclosing force from being applied to said jaw members, once said jawmembers are closed.